Another weekend sees two drownings in NH

By PAUL FEELYNew Hampshire Union LeaderJuly 14. 2013 9:23PMIt was another deadly weekend on the water in New Hampshire, with two people drowning — including a 3-year-old girl.

On Sunday, members of the State Police Marine Patrol were dispatched to a home on Sunapee's Perkins Pond at 11:54 a.m., on a report of a possible drowning. State police say once on scene, Marine Patrol officers Shawn Jeanson and James Yazinski were told a 3-year-old was playing outside with family members when the girl's mother realized she was missing from the group.

Family members began looking for the toddler and called police.

Marine Patrol officers found the girl in the water, approximately 10 to 15 feet from the shoreline and a beach area near the residence. She was pulled from the water and CPR was performed.

The girl was taken to New London Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

On Sunday night, state police were withholding the name of the victim. Sunapee and state police also would not release the address of the shoreline residence where they responded to the call.

On Saturday, a 30-year-old man drowned after jumping from a railroad trestle into the Saco River. Conway police say three people jumped more than 30 feet from the railroad trestle into the river to swim, but only two resurfaced.

Police were called just before 2 p.m. Rescue workers found the man a short distance downstream and performed CPR. He was taken to Memorial Hospital in North Conway, where he was pronounced dead. Conway police said Sunday night that they were still not releasing the name of the victim, pending notification of family members.

The two deaths this weekend follow three drownings over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, which prompted warnings from state and local officials about the need for increased attention to water safety. Recent heavy rainfalls have swollen the state's rivers.

Last weekend, two people drowned after being caught in strong currents on the Merrimack River and being pulled downstream. The third drowning victim died while swimming in Country Pond in Newton.

The New Hampshire Marine Patrol said anyone paddling a kayak or canoe should wear a life jacket or other personal flotation device; life jackets also should be worn when tubing.

Normal rainfall for June in Concord is 3.69 inches, but the total this year was 6.78 inches. The first two weeks of July have also featured periods of heavy rainfall.